Netanyahu blames Syrian regime for downed Russian plane

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed his "regret" to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deaths of 15 crew members aboard a Russian plane, which was downed on Monday.

According to a statement released by the prime minister's office on Tuesday, Netanyahu held the Syrian regime responsible for shooting down the ill-fated aircraft during a phone call with Putin.

Netanyahu said that Israel was ready to give Russia all the information related to the incident, the statement said.

He also pointed to the importance of a joint mechanism to avoid military confrontations between Russia and Israel in Syria.

The mechanism had been preventing loss of lives on both sides for more than three years, Netanyahu added.

Netanyahu also told Putin that Israel was determined to prevent Iranian military presence in Syria.

Earlier Tuesday, Russia's Defense Ministry announced one of its Il-20 military aircraft with 15 servicemen aboard had been downed accidentally by Syria’s Russian-made S-200 air-defense system.

According to the ministry, the plane was downed when Syrian air defenses were trying to repel an attack by an Israeli F-16.

Reporting by Mustafa Deveci; Writing by Sibel Ugurlu